Everything SimpleInterior Design and Home Improvement2014-04-22T11:09:02Zhttp://www.everythingsimple.com/feed/atom/WordPressVickyhttp://www.everythingsimple.com/http://www.everythingsimple.com/?p=71972013-12-05T17:08:46Z2013-12-05T17:07:33Z

Furnishing a home can be a fun experience, but it can also be stressful. How do you know which furniture to buy? Which style or theme to go for? How will everything fit into your allotted space? This last question can be difficult to answer especially for when you live in an apartment with very limited space.

Being able to maximize space and fit your furniture is already complicated even when you have normal square or rectangular shaped rooms, but what if you have a house that is full of odd spaces, tricky dimensions, and rooms with more than four corners? If you don’t think carefully before you start buying your furniture, it can turn into a bit of a nightmare.

So what can you do to ensure you make the most of your space? If you have open plan living areas, it can be difficult to know how to break them up into separate spaces, but this can be done quite easily if you have the right furniture. Armchairs, for instance, are great for creating special little areas on their own; team one up with a floor lamp, table, and a little bookcase, and you’ve got your very own reading area. If you’re sharing your space with someone else, and want to keep things separate, think about getting a room divider screen to make things more official (it will look better than drawing a line along the floor in chalk).

If you have awkward-shaped rooms (such as a wall pillar or nook area that creates more corners or walls than normal), you’ll need to think about furniture that you can change, if needed. In a lounge or living area, a modular sofa would be perfect. Not only do they look modern and fashionable, but you can pick and choose which pieces to use and where, making the most of your odd-shaped space.

Whatever the dimensions of your rooms, with a little bit of imagination and creativity, you’ll be able to furnish your home to fit both your personality and your needs.

]]>0Angelahttp://www.everythingsimple.com/?p=71692013-06-19T16:45:36Z2013-06-19T16:45:36ZThe style, shape and size of a rug can change a room’s whole appearance, so you’ll need to choose the color and design carefully. Your final decision may be based on personal taste; however, there are some important points to consider.

Continuity

Using one style in different rooms creates a flow between them. It’s also worth noting that a rug will look different during the day than at night so it is important to also consider the adjacent and surrounding decor before purchasing certain designs of rugs.

Natural light can make your rugs look lighter while artificial light can make it look darker. You can check out modern fabrics online to get a visual feel of the style you have in mind and to see how it fits your decor.

Patterned versus Plain

Plain rugs are typically more flexible to use than patterned as they’ll co-ordinate with a wider range of furniture and wall coverings. However, plain rugs can also make large rooms look uninteresting. Generally it’s advisable to opt for plain rugs if your furniture is colorful and bold. With that being said patterned rugs are making a comeback.

For more detailed information you can go through Terry’s fabrics or other online fabrics stores to see the wide range of patterns to choose from, including classic patterns, contemporary designs or geometric patterns. There are also some beautiful Indian and Chinese rugs available in a range of colors and designs.

Patterned rugs can act as the focal point of a room if you have plain furniture and neutral colored walls. A patterned rug can also hide signs wear or accidental spills and are far cheaper to replace than fitted carpets.

Texture

Including a variety of different textures in a room is hot on this year’s interior design trends. Using a texture such as a faux sheepskin rug can add interest to a plain floor. Deep pile rugs are ideal for all living areas, adding a touch of luxury to bare feet when used either side of a bed or to wriggle your toes into when relaxing in the living room.

Color

Neutral colors are the most popular choices. It’s much easier to create a color scheme around neutrals than other bolder colors. On the other hand, bold and strong colors add a more dramatic effect on your interior presentation.

Size and Shape

Make sure that you choose a rug which is the correct size for your room. Too small and they’ll look disproportionate, too large and they swap the room.

The shape is also important, typically rugs are chosen to be placed under an item of furniture; for example a coffee table in a living room or dining room table, using the same shape as the furniture piece brings a peaceful and cohesive look.

Additional Advantages of including Rugs

– It’s also advisable to avoid using large patterns in small rooms as they can make the room feel claustrophobic and cramped.

– Light colored rugs can make rooms appear larger, but they will show up dirt more than darker rugs, so using darker colors in high traffic areas is a wise move.

– As north facing rooms don’t get as much sunlight as south facing rooms they can look cold and dark. Use pale colors to help lighten the room or warm it up by using warm colors such as reds, oranges or yellows.

– Patterned rugs are ideal for bringing variety into a room; they also hide dirt better than plain rugs.

Finally, think about where you going to place you rugs and then consider the several factors to help you get the very best options and choices. There’s no one best rug to get, it all depends on your specific circumstances.

A lot of people would say that the most relaxing place in a house is their bathroom; a place of refuge, to be alone, and just take a breather.

But it would be very difficult to relax in a bathroom wherein all the cleaning supplies are cluttered everywhere. It’s always best to keep them all organized. Spend several minutes to check on all the shampoo, conditioner and body wash bottles; check if they are empty or expired and put them in the recycling bin.

If your family shares a bathroom, collect all those which are not yours and ask your relatives if they still need them; if they don’t, place them in the recycling bin too. And if the bottles still have some product left or have residue on them, it would be best to wash them off.

Another big problem which is always ignored is the handful of toothbrushes. Check with the family members and throw out the unused ones. The cluttered toothbrushes are a morning eye sore.

Throw out empty rolled up toothpaste tubes and remind the family that the best way to bring out the toothpaste from the tube is to roll it up from the bottom, and not to squish the tube at the middle.

Clean up the soap dishes and either dispose of all the unused small soap bars or group them together and dissolve in a clean bottle with water to use as your liquid hand soap.

Make sure all the towel racks are screwed on properly, paper towels and tissues are in the right places, rugs are in order, and you’re all good.

And just a side note, it would also do wonders to your bathroom to hang a painting or two on the bathroom wall. You can also opt for a good photo in a frame, preferably with a soothing and relaxing scenic view.

]]>0Vickyhttp://www.everythingsimple.com/http://www.everythingsimple.com/?p=71472013-06-19T16:56:12Z2013-05-24T17:14:39ZHave you ever felt bothered coming into your house? Or maybe even right before entering, you feel a slight anxiety? Have you experienced feeling that your home was so dirty and cluttered, even after cleaning and tidying up?

One of the reasons could be the doors. Not just the main door, but all the doors going to each room of your humble abode. And let us not forget that these are not the only doors around the house. We should be aware of the different cabinets and drawers around our home. I am not implying that you change the doors themselves. I am but pertaining to the doors knobs and handles.

The knobs and handles of these doors experience a lot of wear and tear because of the continuous daily use of all the members of the household and even guests. The paint gets scraped off, the screws and hinges loosen up.

It may seem very little, but changing the knobs and handles can really make your house look better! And it’s a very easy fix up. It would only take minutes to do. And if you can’t spare more time, you can just work on it one room at a time!

Just check out all the knobs and handles of the doors in your house. Make a list of all the knobs and handles which need to be change or whose screws need to be tightened. You can even take photos of them so that it would be easier to buy replacements when you drop by a local hardware store. Changing them is an easy step by step process. And to make it even easier, you can also purchase an electric screwdriver if you don’t have one already. Then voila: a not-so-difficult job, but very rewarding when it comes to the positive aura it gives.

Spring is a great excuse to inject some fresh colour and new design trends into your home. If you’re working with limited space, there are still plenty of inspiring ideas to brighten up a small room and make it ready for the new season.

Just a simple addition of a new colourful peacock print cushion or floral wallpaper can create the illusion of bringing nature inside and transform a small space. This is the time to banish heavy drapes and drab colours, and embrace bright shades and light fabrics. Let’s look at some key areas that can help get your small room spruced up for spring.

Colours

The most visible change you can make to a small space is by transforming its colour. Paint a wall in the latest spring colours for 2013 such as emerald green (chosen by Pantone as colour of the year), bright tangerine or ocean blue, and you’ve already introduced a new theme without cluttering up the small space.

With a basic background colour established, you can add more colourful yet space-saving elements such as a vase of fresh flowers or a new piece of framed artwork that can complement the wall colours.

Accessories

A few well chosen accessories can make a bold statement in any room, regardless of its size. When space is at a premium, a simple side table with a vintage finish or a geometric pattern rug from The Range, can be enough to give you the update you’re looking for. The Range provides these home accessories to suit most budgets and room sizes.

The beauty of a good accessory is that it can add an exciting element to the most tired parts of a room. Take your inspiration from the spring trend for tie and dye inspired ikat curtains and liven up that old window frame, or do up an old wall with lush new floral wall paper and create a new feature in a small room.

New materials

Embrace the idea of rejuvenation in spring and don’t be afraid to introduce new materials in your home decor. Many designers are talking about brass this year. And while you may not be able to invest in a spiral staircase with a brass handrail, you can definitely include the popular metal in smaller ways. Why not use a brass vase or bookend to liven up your bookshelf?

Lace is another material that is expected to have a resurgence this spring and throughout the year. This diaphanous fabric doesn’t have to conjure up images of Victorian boudoirs. You can bring lace into the 21st century by choosing some modern twists to the fabric. For example, use cushions embellished with lace or try it as a paint stencil on a wall for a luxurious look.

Furniture

Updating traditional furniture pieces such as a sofa or a dining table is a good way to start the redecoration process. If you enjoy DIY, why not try reupholstering sofas in floral or animal prints – a big trend this spring – or sanding down old wooden chairs and painting them in a primary colour such as bright yellow or red. It’s a practical and fun way to redecorate without adding more pieces to a small space.

Just adding a simple mirror to a living room can also make it ready for spring by increasing the light in a small room. If you’re looking to acquire a few statement items, make one of them an antique piece of furniture. The antiques trend is definitely on the rise and mixing a few period pieces such as a vintage chest of drawers with more modern designs will give your room a sophisticated style.

Lighting

Lighting trends for spring are incredibly varied this year; and there’s a host of styles to choose from, including pendant lights inspired by modern industrial design, vintage style lights with exposed filament bulbs and even flamboyant, extra large frames that are replacing conventional pendants. Installing just a single show-stopping ceiling light can give a much needed lift to a small room.

]]>1Vickyhttp://www.everythingsimple.com/http://www.everythingsimple.com/?p=67562013-03-11T12:48:38Z2013-03-11T00:34:18Z
Traditional barns are very rustic, rugged and earthy. When it comes to the space and function, it carries on a minimalist theme–very open, very practical. No doors for the interior areas, just divisions to make certain spaces distinct. In short, traditional barns are very simple structures and modern designers have found a way to give birth to the stylish concept of home people can live in and enjoy today.

Another important aspect of the barn is that it is very nature friendly. All these important elements; minimalist concept, practicality added with a modern twist combining style and comfort was the exact formula architect Rita Huys used for her modern barn house project.

A reclaimed Belgian barn house by itself is already a recycled structure. However, the architect made it even more eco-friendly by using recycled shutter structure for the exterior surface of the entire house. From a distance the structure will give the barn structure however, the prim landscaping glass doors will surely make you think twice as to what the structure really is.

The interiors are very modern and open just like a traditional barn, however the fixtures and furnishings are very modern. The color palette chosen was also very monochrome all through out the house which makes it all come together and look chic. It’s effect for me would be a more futuristic, design-forward look which balances the idea of using a traditional barn as the foundation of the house.

The outer spaces are also very inviting and functional. Families who like to spend time outside for barbeques or simply backyard fun will surely appreciate how the architect has designed certain areas of the house to open towards the outer areas of the house.

Barn houses such as this one surely reminds us that our ideas today is simply a compilation of ideas that have come before us we simply have to add a bit of modern creativity to make them work and this house has definitely changed the old concept of a rustic barn. Now people will surely expect to see more from barns other than hay.

]]>0Vickyhttp://www.everythingsimple.com/http://www.everythingsimple.com/?p=67682013-03-11T12:50:44Z2013-03-11T00:31:03Z
If you don’t love the beach, then you must have been born on the moon. I love the beach. Love everything about it. There are countless ways to enjoy the sand and sea whether you are the ultimate nature-lover or just someone whose idea of fun is spring break all over again.

The beauty if the beach is unlike any other. From sunrise to sunset, to the birds and the boats the ocean’s horizon never runs out of snapshots of natural beauty. This must have been the reason behind this modern coastal home by Yamamori Architect & Associates. The home takes on a Japanese inspired theme and the focal point is of course the sea itself.

I would definitely agree that Japanese house architecture would fit perfectly for coastal homes. Because the Japanese theme really is about being very minimal and more importantly, one with nature the house feels more like it was built to fit into the shores rather than have the shores fit into the home.

The interiors portray nothing but the basic fixtures for basic functions. No more fancy furnishings. Sitting areas on the extended outdoor space sit on the beach front face of the house. As a result, the home feels very modern to a point of looking futuristic, but at the same time very functional.

On the contrary, the exterior structure of the home is something that didn’t really go very traditional. From the outside the house appears to float. The irregular shape of the structure itself kind of contributes to the natural attraction of the environment. The facade kept the natural color of the concrete.

From the way this coastal home was built I could say that the Japanese architects were saying to themselves “it’s difficult to fill a cup (well, in this case a house) that is already full”. Because the house is somewhat empty, it allowed the beauty of the sea to fill it. Now that’s something you definitely can’t buy.

]]>0Vickyhttp://www.everythingsimple.com/http://www.everythingsimple.com/?p=67902013-03-11T12:52:20Z2013-03-11T00:26:53Z
Limited space can be any architect’s best friend or worse enemy. Having to work in an area smaller than what you’d hope for could mean having to make drastic changes just to make things fit, or it could also be an opportunity to redefine the use of limited space and turn it into something big–not in space, but in style.

Naturehumaine Architects of Canada knew exactly how to get limited space to work well enough for them. Working only with a 800 sq. ft., these architects came up with a compact home and not only that, they came up with one whose design turned out to be really stylish, some people might even trade their spacious homes for a house like this.

Because floor space was limited, architects turned to a different element and this was working with different levels. Certain areas of the house such as the dining area and the kitchen were elevated while the sitting area which also functioned as a living room was lower than the two.

This was really a creative way to separate areas in one room without getting the feeling of “crowding”. Although the entire floor was limited in space, by giving a distinct area for these different functions, everything actually ended up looking spacious. What the architects did was they made the house look like it could accommodate all the basic areas of the house without making it feel like they were forcing it to look that way.

In my opinion however, I think that what really opened up the house is the interior design incorporated into it. The theme is very rugged, earthy and rustic–but neat. White walls play the role of canvass against the raw materials left exposed in the different areas of the house.

The varnished wooden floor just oozes with an earthy warmth while the exposed beams on the ceiling completes the rugged modern look. Pieces of artwork on the walls breaks the monochromatic flow of the white walls at the same time highlighting certain spaces, like the dining area for example.

It is important to use only what is needed to get what the homeowners want. Like this house project, getting what the customers want means using only the materials needed. Once function is in place style will easily follow. Surely, homeowners won’t even remember that their home was built within a limited space.

]]>0Vickyhttp://www.everythingsimple.com/http://www.everythingsimple.com/?p=71032013-02-20T14:59:28Z2013-02-20T14:57:54ZBefore the days of divan beds, most mattresses sat on a wooden bed frame. In recent years, bed frames have made a comeback and today they are the popular choice for the stylish contemporary bedroom.

Your first step is to decide on your decorating style – for example, traditional, country cottage, contemporary or ultra-modern – and your color scheme, as both these elements will help narrow down your options.

Why super king mattresses are worth the investment

One of your first decisions will be whether to buy a complete bed frame or a headboard. A headboard will fit on to your current divan base but a complete bed frame, while more expensive, can provide a striking focal point for your bedroom.

In many cases, you may want to invest in a new divan or mattress at the same time. Super king mattresses are the best option for couples as they offer a substantially larger sleeping area than a standard double bed, improving your quality of sleep.

Wooden bed frames

Traditionally the most popular choice, wooden bed frames now come in a huge variety of styles. A good-quality wooden bed will be resilient, hard wearing and long lasting and can either be painted or varnished to show the natural beauty of the grain.

With sustainability a key consideration, today’s buyer will want to know that their new wooden bed frame comes from certified wood from responsibly managed forests.

The most basic wooden bed is a simple pine frame with a slatted base. These are good value for money and easy to assemble, but are best used with a good-quality mattress as they don’t always offer the additional support provided by a pocket-sprung divan base.

A more upmarket option is a solid oak bed frame. Choose from slatted wood headboards, modern panelled designs or elegantly curved sleigh frames.

Metal bed frames

Metal headboards and bed frames have seen a resurgence in popularity and range from traditional designs of metal poles topped with bedknobs to sleek contemporary brushed chrome. As with wooden beds, metal bed frames can be finished with gloss paint.

Fabric bed frames

Fabric bed frames and headboards are not a new idea, but there are some fabulous contemporary styles on the market. Made from a variety of materials including cotton, linen, velvet and faux suede, these may come in plain neutral colors such as beige, pale grey or mushroom, or in bolder hues such as purple, red or black.

Leather bed frames

Sleek, stylish and hardwearing, leather bed frames are also very well suited to contemporary homes. Designs may range from simple bed frames to sleigh beds and Chesterfield-style headboards, or for the ultimate in luxury, white or black leather TV beds.

In all cases, if you order your bed frame and mattress online, make sure you choose a reputable supplier offering free delivery and easy-to-assemble options.

Fashion matters and home furnishings are no exception. Kitchen stools leave a subtle yet strong impression, often supplying the finishing touch that distinguishes the extraordinary from the ordinary. Effective without being outlandish, bar stools shine during social events in addition to proving stunningly functional. Indeed, these chameleonesque products are endlessly evolving, adopting increasingly chic guises with each passing season.

The breakfast bar is big news, signalling the demise of the kitchen table and the emergence of new trends in the home furnishings industry. Boasting a standard height of 90cm, the breakfast bar is taller and more imposing than traditional structures, calling for increasingly lithe and lavish furniture. Indeed, part of the appeal of the breakfast bar lies in the scope for adding various embellishments and accessories. Current trends are divided between the stunningly modern and the resolutely traditional, fulfilling the dreams of fashionistas everywhere.

Traditional looks are undergoing a revival with wooden items taking the forefront. Four-legged structures offer literal and symbolic stability in an increasingly busy world, making them an appealing prospect for many customers. Oak is an enduring favorite for reasons that transcend the obvious. Graceful yet robust, oak furniture infuses every setting with gentle elegance. Walnut enriches environments more dramatically. Deliciously decadent, this full-bodied finish adds untold opulence to the most austere of abodes. Both finishes denote serious glamour.

Bentwood fuses old and new by taking the rustic charm of wood and turning it into something slickly innovative and exciting. The distinctive curve of bentwood produces more ergonomic furnishings. Contoured for optimum comfort, bentwood kitchen stools offer an immaculate blend of style and substance.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, ultramodern furniture is also fashionable and emphasizes the exotica of many state-of-the-art homes. What could better complement a curved cabinet or enchanting breakfast island than a set of voguish Kitchen stools? Bold shapes, carefully contoured seats and avant-garde colors combine to produce phenomenally distinctive items which vary from the minimal to the utterly magnificent.

Acrylic Perspex is one material that has gained astonishing prominence in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. Offering a genuinely distinctive aesthetic, this formidable alternative to glass mystically channels light, producing an alternately warm or frosty glow. The very embodiments of subtle sophistication, Acrylic Perspex bar stools are at once understated and overwhelming; subdued and psychedelic.

Breakfast bar stools enable you your home and tastes. Operating these covetable items will mark if you’ve a passion for fashion to make a unique statement about as functional fashion statements, your home out as the place to be. So and you yearn for great furniture, then there truly is no greater way to than to indulge your desires than by delving into the world of bar stools.